140,000 to 190,000 people with deep analytic skills as well as 1.5M Managers will be needed by 2018 to fill jobs in Big Data (source: McKinsey). Data is now a Strategic Corporate Asset.

Many organizations are separating the data function’s reporting lines out of IT and into the business side, the goal being to manage and use data strategically.

What to do?

Data is fast becoming its own vertical. Recruitment (and retention) of critical data talent is now a key part of a company’s efforts to define and implement ways to connect the data strategy to the business strategy.

Where is the best data talent right now?

Research shows that finance, followed by telecommunications, is leading from the front. Candidates with advanced degrees in data or analytics are preferred by over 60% of companies now vs. just five years ago. New positions are being added to organizational charts at all levels.

The competition for this talent is fierce and as more industries gain big data momentum, the client demand will continue to outpace the supply.

TD Madison is known as the go-to firm for sustainability in information and technology talent solutions. We welcome your thoughts and discussion.